1924
Howard
2014
Howard Schmidgall
October 19, 1924 — February 24, 2014
Funeral services for Howard Schmidgall of Hancock, MN will be held Friday, February 28, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Evangelical Free Church in Benson, MN. Pastor Reed Egerstrom will be officiating. Visitation will be held Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and for one hour prior to services at the church on Friday. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Hancock. Military rites will be provided by the Morris American Legion, VFW and AmVets.
Howard Milton Schmidgall, son of Charles and Caroline (Sturm) Schmidgall, was born October 19, 1924 in Pequot Township, Minnesota. He grew up and attended school in Hancock. On June 23, 1943, Howard enlisted in the United States Army, serving as Sergeant in WWII in the 82nd Airborne Division in Company 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion. After being honorably discharged on January 18, 1946, he returned to Hancock, where he worked for Johny Roles, digging wells and ditches and also for Hancock Concrete. In 1952, he began working for Burlington-Northern Railroad. On April 23, 1955, he was united in marriage to Donna Dosdall. The couple made their home in Hancock, where they raised their 14 children. Howard continued to work for the railroad until his retirement in 1992. Donna died on July 5, 2005. Howard continued to live in Hancock until the time of his death.
Howard enjoyed fishing, hunting, especially deer and goose, playing cribbage, cryptoquips, crossword puzzles, gardening, painting, reading, driving around the countryside, playing cards and having coffee with friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
Howard died unexpectedly at his home in Hancock on Monday, February 24, 2014, having lived to reach the age of 89 years.
He is survived by his 14 children: Bonnie (Bob) Edwards, Stephens City, VA, Charles Schmidgall, Vallejo, CA, Jerry (Lisa) Schmidgall, Elgin, IL, Dawn (Rick) Heike, Benson, Denise (Scott) See, Berkely Springs, WV, Wanda Schmidgall, Hancock, Judy Johnson, Hancock, Dean (Rindy) Schmidgall, Ventura, CA, Sharon (Barry) Hirschey, Staples, Jay (Sheryl) Schmidgall, St. Louis Park, Sara (Japannah) Kellogg, Ames, IA, Joel (Kelli) Schmidgall, Hancock, Lee (Mandi) Schmidgall, Chippewa Falls, WI and Paul (Mary) Schmidgall, Morris; three sisters: Doris Strom, Excelsior, Arlene Ohland, Alexandria and Anita Gayken, Montevideo; 33 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; grandsons: Joshua Kuschmirz and Ray Schmidgall; daughters-in-law: Lisa Schmidgall and Sylvia Schmidgall and siblings: Tillie Luedke, Esther Lieneman, Leah Kuschmirz, Jake Schmidgall, Sophie Miller, Gert Flannigan, Charles Schmidgall, Betty Walsh and Gerald Schmidgall.
Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Howard Milton Schmidgall, son of Charles and Caroline (Sturm) Schmidgall, was born October 19, 1924 in Pequot Township, Minnesota. He grew up and attended school in Hancock. On June 23, 1943, Howard enlisted in the United States Army, serving as Sergeant in WWII in the 82nd Airborne Division in Company 307th Airborne Engineer Battalion. After being honorably discharged on January 18, 1946, he returned to Hancock, where he worked for Johny Roles, digging wells and ditches and also for Hancock Concrete. In 1952, he began working for Burlington-Northern Railroad. On April 23, 1955, he was united in marriage to Donna Dosdall. The couple made their home in Hancock, where they raised their 14 children. Howard continued to work for the railroad until his retirement in 1992. Donna died on July 5, 2005. Howard continued to live in Hancock until the time of his death.
Howard enjoyed fishing, hunting, especially deer and goose, playing cribbage, cryptoquips, crossword puzzles, gardening, painting, reading, driving around the countryside, playing cards and having coffee with friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.
Howard died unexpectedly at his home in Hancock on Monday, February 24, 2014, having lived to reach the age of 89 years.
He is survived by his 14 children: Bonnie (Bob) Edwards, Stephens City, VA, Charles Schmidgall, Vallejo, CA, Jerry (Lisa) Schmidgall, Elgin, IL, Dawn (Rick) Heike, Benson, Denise (Scott) See, Berkely Springs, WV, Wanda Schmidgall, Hancock, Judy Johnson, Hancock, Dean (Rindy) Schmidgall, Ventura, CA, Sharon (Barry) Hirschey, Staples, Jay (Sheryl) Schmidgall, St. Louis Park, Sara (Japannah) Kellogg, Ames, IA, Joel (Kelli) Schmidgall, Hancock, Lee (Mandi) Schmidgall, Chippewa Falls, WI and Paul (Mary) Schmidgall, Morris; three sisters: Doris Strom, Excelsior, Arlene Ohland, Alexandria and Anita Gayken, Montevideo; 33 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; grandsons: Joshua Kuschmirz and Ray Schmidgall; daughters-in-law: Lisa Schmidgall and Sylvia Schmidgall and siblings: Tillie Luedke, Esther Lieneman, Leah Kuschmirz, Jake Schmidgall, Sophie Miller, Gert Flannigan, Charles Schmidgall, Betty Walsh and Gerald Schmidgall.
Pedersen Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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